FL Hitter/Pitcher of the Week: Week 8
April 7, 2026
The 2026 high school baseball season has officially kicked off, bringing with it a wave of standout performances across the state. Each week, coaches will nominate exceptional athletes for Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, from which we’ll select the top four candidates in each category for a public vote via a Twitter (X) poll. Fans will have the power to crown the weekly winners, while those nominees who don’t make the final cut will still receive recognition in our Weekly Diamond Notes article, published every Wednesday.
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Hitter of the Week: Week 8
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Jonathan Paniagua 1B / OF / Miami Southridge Senior High, FL / 2026Miami Southridge senior Jonathan Paniagua delivered a strong week at the plate, securing Hitter of the Week honors with a highly efficient and explosive offensive showcase. The 2026 first baseman was a relentless force for the Spartans, proving nearly impossible to keep off the basepaths while doing massive damage every time he made contact. Paniagua put together a 6-for-8 stretch at the dish, constantly setting the table and clearing the bases while crossing the plate for seven runs scored. He was an extra-base machine, tallying four extra-base hits out of his six total knocks. With two doubles, one triple, and one home run, he drove in six RBIs to cap off an incredible week. Week 8 Stats: 6-8, 6 RBI, 1 HR, 1 3B, 2 2B, 7 R |
Runners Up:
- Jackson Skinner (Branford) - 2-6, 6 RBI, 2 HR, 2 R
- Jhonny Vazquez (Davenport) - 8-12, 8 RBI, 1 HR, 1 3B, 5 2B, 8 R
- Tison McCray (Columbia) - 5-11, 5 RBI, 3 HR, 4 R
Pitcher of the Week: Week 8
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Carter Cox LHP / OF / VENICE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, FL / 2026FAU recruit Carter Cox delivered an outstanding performance on the mound, taking home Pitcher of the Week honors. The 2026 left-hander tossed a masterpiece, firing nine no-hit innings to cement his status as one of the premier southpaws in the state. Cox showed incredible stamina and elite command, going deep into the game without allowing a single hit. He was essentially flawless, surrendering zero walks and zero runs, with his only blemish being a lone hit-by-pitch. He racked up 16 strikeouts as Venice won the game 1-0 in 11 innings. Week 8 Stats: 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 16 K |
Runners Up:
- Christopher Vasallo (Doral Academy) - 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K
- Joey Lawson (Bishop Verot) - 9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K
- Pedro Castillo (Palmer Trinity) - 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 12 K
Upcoming Events
| Showcase | State | Date | Location |
| Tallahassee Summer ID | FL | 05/26 | Tallahassee State College - Tallahassee, FL |
| Tallahassee Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 05/26 | Tallahassee State College - Tallahassee, FL |
| East Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 06/02 | Cacti Park - West Palm Beach, FL |
| Tampa Summer ID | FL | 06/03 | Saint Leo University - Saint Leo, FL |
| Tampa Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/03 | Saint Leo University - Saint Leo, FL |
| Bradenton Summer ID | FL | 06/10 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Bradenton Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/10 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Fort Myers Summer ID | FL | 06/16 | Bishop Verot - Fort Myers, FL |
| Fort Myers Rising Stars ID (2030-2031Grads) | FL | 06/16 | Bishop Verot - Fort Myers, FL |
| West Florida Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 06/23 | IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL |
| Gulf Coast Summer ID | FL | 06/23 | Orange Beach Sportsplex - Orange Beach, AL |
| Gulf Coast Rising Stars ID | FL | 06/23 | Orange Beach Sportsplex - Orange Beach, AL |
| Miami Summer ID | FL | 06/24 | Doral Academy - Doral, FL |
| Miami Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/24 | Doral Academy - Doral, FL |
| Jacksonville Summer ID | FL | 06/30 | Jacksonville University - Jacksonville, FL |
| Jacksonville Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 06/30 | Jacksonville University - Jacksonville, FL |
| Orlando Summer ID | FL | 07/07 | The First Academy - Orlando, FL |
| Orlando Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 07/07 | The First Academy - Orlando, FL |
| Savannah Summer ID | FL | 07/07 | Benedictine Military School - Savannah, GA |
| Savannah Rising Stars ID (2030 & 2031 Grads) | FL | 07/07 | Benedictine Military School |
| Clearwater Summer ID | FL | 07/14 | Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL |
| Clearwater Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads) | FL | 07/14 | Jack Russell Stadium - Clearwater, FL |
| Senior Future Games (Class of 2027) | NATIONAL | 07/21 | LakePoint Sports |
| Future Games (Class of 2028) | NATIONAL | 07/22 | LakePoint Sports |
| Junior Future Games (Class of 2030/31) | NATIONAL | 07/23 | LakePoint Sports |
| 2026 Southeast Super Sophomore Games (Invite-Only) | FL | 08/01 | LakePoint Sports - Cartersville, GA |